The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry passed U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Auburn) Talladega National Forest Expansion Act as part of a legislative package with several other U.S. Forest Service lands bills on Tuesday.
The Talladega National Forest Expansion Act, which was introduced earlier this year, would expand the proclamation boundary of the Talladega National Forest by approximately 50,000 acres in three East Alabama counties.
“As Alabama continues to grow, citizens need access to safe and reliable hiking trails and outdoor spaces to encourage wellness and improved health,” said Tuberville. “I am proud to lead this legislation to promote both tourism and conservation efforts for all Alabamians.”
According to Tuberville's office, the bill would give the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) "the authority to purchase land from willing sellers—stimulating the local economies and promoting conservation in the surrounding areas." Alabama’s premier hiking trail, the Pinhoti Trail System, would be greatly enhanced upon the USFS acquisition of these acres.
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